Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott fined $25,000 by NFL for comments on officials

Clarence E. Hill Jr.
·2 min read
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The NFL has fined Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott $25,000 for condoning the actions of fans who threw debris at the officiating crew following Sunday’s playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers, sources have confirmed.

Prescott initially said, “Credit to them then. Credit to them” when told that fans were throwing things at the officials as they walked off the AT&T Stadium field following the Cowboys’ 23-17 loss.

Prescott was given a chance to clarify his comments in that moment, but instead of taking a pause he doubled down.

“Yeah, I mean, yeah, if they weren’t at us, and if the fans felt the same way as us, and that’s what they were doing it for, yeah,” Prescott said as a follow-up. “I’m guessing that’s why the refs took off and got out of there so fast. Yeah, I think everybody is upset with the way that this thing played out. As I said, I’m sure a fan would feel the same way that we do.”

Then Tuesday, Prescott, who is the Cowboys’ nominee for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, tweeted an apology.

“I deeply regret the comments I made regarding the officials after the game on Sunday. I was caught up in the emotion of a disappointing loss and my words were uncalled for and unfair.

“I hold the NFL Officials in the highest regard and have always respected their professionalism and the difficulty of their jobs. The safety of everyone who attends a game or participates on the field of a sporting event is a very serious matter.

“That was a mistake on my behalf, and I am sorry.”

Prescott’s comments drew a harsh rebuke from the NBA Referees Association, which encouraged the NFL to take action “to discourage this deplorable behavior in the future.”

Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said Prescott’s comments and those of some of his teammates criticizing the officials were due to the emotions and the disappointments of the loss. “I think comments after games, people are emotional, particularly when it doesn’t go the way you think it should go.”